Zverev slams critics, says 'I was burnt out and beaten'

Defending Rome Open champion Alexander Zverev said he is now on a "good path", putting a poor run of form following his defeat in the Australian Open final down to burn-out.

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The 28-year-old world No.2 put an end to the dry run — which included opening round defeats in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo — by winning the ATP title in Munich in mid-April.

The German, who is still seeking his first Grand Slam title, said he should in retrospect have taken time off after losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the Australian Open final at the end of January.

"Before Munich obviously my level of play wasn’t great," he said at a press conference.

"There are reasons for it. I think not taking time off after Australia was a big reason for it. I felt like I burned out a little bit."